Self-latching mechanism for hinges



y 9 198 T. T. T. JERKLA SELF-LATCHING MECHANISM FOR HINGES 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 14, 1966 IN MENTOR 75R5T/ T T JER/LA MAHQNEY &HORMBAKER A 7'7'0ENE Y5 United States Patent 3,381,333 SELF-LATCHINGMECHANISM FOR HINGES Torsti 'I. 'I. .llerila, West Covina, Caiih,assignor to Aiax Hardware Manufacturing Corp., City of Industry, Caiih,a corporation of California Filed Nov. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 594,178

15 Claims. (Cl. 16-139) This invention relates to a self-latchingmechanism for hinges and constitutes improvements over the copendingapplication, Ser. No. 580,779, filed Sept. 20, 1966, entitled,Self-latching Hinge, of which I am a co-inventor. More particularly,this invention relates to a self-latching mechanism for hinges whereinsaid hinges are auto matically resiliently urged toward a closedposition, with said mechanism permitting movement of said hinge memberstoward open positions. The improvements of the present invention areconcerned with means associated with the hinge pin for more positivelyretaining hinge members and self-latching mechanism assembled with saidhinge pin, means for more positively retaining the spring means of theself-latching mechanism in the assembly of said self-latching mechanism,and means for providing various forms of springs and latch members forthe self-latching mechanism.

As set forth in said copending application, Ser. No. 580,779,self'latching hinges include self-latching mechanisms having a partthereof movable with one hinge member and at least one latch memberresiliently urged into engagement with the hinge knuckles of the otherhinge member, all arranged for urging the hinge members into a closedposition, while permitting movement thereof toward open positions. Oneof the hinge members may be secured to a doonframe and the other to adoor and the self-latching mechanism is usually arranged so that as thedoor approaches the closed position, such self-latching mechanism takesover and resiliently urges the door to fully closed position, therebyeliminating the necessity of other latch means between the door anddoorframe. In the normal hinged movement of the door relative to thedoorframe beyond the point at which the self-latching mechanism isoperable to urge the door toward the fully closed position, theself-latching mechanism will permit the normal hinged movement of thehinge members and, therefore, the normal hinged movement of the doorrelative to the frame for normal functioning of the door, that is, thedoor will normally remain in a given open position in which it isplaced.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a self-latchingmechanism for hinges of the foregoing general type in which means isprovided engageable between the hinge pin and the self-latchingmechanism for retaining the hinge pin assembled in the hinge memberknuckles and with the self-latching mechanism when once placed in saidassembly. As a result, once the hinge pin is properly assembled with thehinge members and selflatching mechanism, the retention of said properassembly will be assured and it is impossible for accidentaldisplacement of the various components to occur during use of theparticular hinge, which could destroy the proper functioning thereof.Furthermore, such hinge pin locking feature is adaptable to a variety ofhinge member and self-latching mechanism constructions, whether thelatch members of the self-latching mechanisms are singular or multiple,whether the springs of the self-latching mechanisms are of variousvariable forms or whether the hinge pins are of singular or multipleparts.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a selflatchingmechanism for hinges wherein the spring means of the self-latchingmechanism required for urging the latch member or members intoengagement with certain of the hinge member knuckles for the functioningof said 'ice self-latching mechanism are positively engaged in theparticular self-latching mechanisms and are positively prevented fromaccidental disassembly from said mechanisms during use of the hinges.The spring locking feature of the present invention is automaticallyoperable again at the time of proper assembly of the particular springin the particular self-latching mechanism so as to prevent accidentaldisassembly of the spring from said self-latching mechanism onceproperly assembled. Also, this spring locking feature is freelyapplicable for a variety of forms of spring and whether the particularspring may be of unitary form or in several parts, and whether saidspring might provide actuation for one or several latch members.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing specification and the accompanying drawings which are for thepurpose of illustration only, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of an embodiment of ahinge including my self-latching mechanism improvements of the presentinvention showing hinge members hingedly connecting a door to adoorframe;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, rear elevational view of the hinge of FIG. 1,with the door removed and the fastening means for one of the hingemembers shown in vertical section;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, vertical, sectional view taken along the brokenline 3-3 in FIG. 1 and with the hinge members removed from the door andframe;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal, sectional view takenalong the broken line 44 in FIG. 3 and showing the hinge members inclosed position;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the hinge members in anopen position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a further form of hingeincorporating certain of the improvements of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a still further form ofhinge incorporating certain of the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a still further form ofhinge incorporating certain of the improvements of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional vieu showing a stillfurther modified form of self-latching hinge mechanism incorporatingcertain of the improvements of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, horizontal, sectional view taken along thebroken line 10-10 in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, a self-latching hinge incorporatingcertain of the improvements of the present invention is shown andincludes a first hinge member, generally indicated at 20, secured byusual fasteners 22 to a representative frame 24 and a second hingemember, generally indicated at 26, secured by usual fasteners 28 to arepresentative door 39 for hingedly mounting the door on the frame. Thefirst hinge member 20 includes axially aligned outer and intermediatehinge knuckles 32 and 34 receiving interfitting and axially alignedtherewith hinge knuckles 36 of the second hinge member 26, all of whichhinge knuckles cooperate to form an axially extending hinge pin opening38 for reception of a pair of hin e pin halves 40, to be hereinaftermore particularly described and being of importance to certain of theprinciples of the present invention. The second hinge member 26 may beformed of the usual demountable type, including a tongue 42 slidablyreceived in a keeper 44, said tongue being selectively releasable in theusual manner from the keeper 44 for the complete removal of the door 36from the frame 24.

Each of the first and second hinge members 20 and 26 is formed withoutwardly projecting connecting portions 46 and i3, respectively,spacing the hinge knuckles 32,

34 and 36 outwardly to form a latch carriage chamber between said hingemembers and within which is received a latch carriage assembly,generally indicated at 52. The latch carriage assembly 52 includes acarriage 54 of generally U-shaped configuration having axially spacedmounting legs 56 forming axially aligned hinge pin openings 58 andspring slots 60. The carriage mourning legs 56 are integrally connectedby a depending, T-shaped engagement portion 62.

More particularly to the improvements of the present invention, thelatch carriage assembly 52 further includes generally U-shaped springhalves 64, each having reentrant end parts 66 received axially throughthe spring slots 60 of the carriage mounting legs 56, as best seen inFIG. 3. One of the end parts 66 of each of the spring halves 64 bearsresiliently against the carriage engagement portion 62 and the other isreceived axially in a spring opening 68 of a latch member 70, said latchmember being positioned between the carriage mounting legs 56. Further,each of the end ports 66 of the spring halves 64 is angularlyconfigured, with particularly those end parts bearing against thecarriage engagement portion 62 forming notches 72 receiving engagedtherein the carriage mounting legs 56 adjacent the ends of the springslots 60 to thereby axially engage the spring halves 64 with thecarriage mounting legs 56 and retain the spring halves against axiallyoutward displacement from the carriage 54 once such spring halves havebeen assembled with said carriage and the latch member 70.

Also more particularly to the improvements of the present invention, thehinge pin halves 40 having end caps 74 which may be integral orseparately pressed thereon and knurled surfaces 76 press-fit in theouter hinge knuckles 32 of the first hinge member 20, are each formedwith an annular recess 78 particularly located for radial alignment withthe carriage mounting legs 56. Thus, when the hinge pin halves 40 areassembled through the hinge pin opening 38, with each extending axiallythrough one of the first hinge outer hinge knuckles 32 and second hingeknuckles 36, said hinge pin recesses 78 will be properly axially spacedand radially aligned with the carriage mounting legs 56, with said hingepin halves extending through the hinge pin openings 58 of the carriagemounting legs. The normal resilient urging of the carriage engagementportion 62 away from the hinge pin halves 40 by the spring end parts 66bearing resiliently radially between said carriage engagement portionand the latch member 70, forcing said latch member radially against theintermediate hinge knuckle 34 of the first hinge member 20, will causethe carriage mounting legs 56 to engage in said hinge pin recesses 78outwardly adjacent the hinge pin openings 58 of the carriage mountinglegs, thereby retaining the hinge pin halves 40 against axialdisplacement from the various hinge member hinge knuckles 32, 34 and 36,as well as from the carriage 54 once such hinge pin halves are assembledtherewith, as shown in FIG. 3.

The latch member is preferably formed of a relatively abrasionresistant, plastic material and, as stated, bears radially against theintermediate hinge knuckle 34 of the first hinge member 20, asresiliently urged by the spring halves 64, said latch memberco-operating with said intermediate hinge knuckle to provide theselflatching feature. As fully disclosed in said copending application,Ser. No. 580,779, the intermediate hinge knuckle 34 of the first hingemember 20 is only partially wrapped in the order of 250 to 270 toprovide knuckle end surface 80 preferably projecting approximately 50 toa straight radial line and against which the latch member 70 acts, aswell as over knuckle outer surface 82. Also, as disclosed in saidcopending application, when the assembly of the latch carriage assembly52 in the latch carriage chamber 50, the T-shaped carriage engagementportion 62 is received in a matching T-shaped slot 84 of the secondhinge member 26, as best seen in FIG. 2,

so that the latch carriage assembly is hingedly movable with the secondhinge member to move the latch member 79 relative to and along theintermediate hinge knuckle 34 of the first hinge member 20 during hingedmovement between said hinge members.

In operation of the self-latching mechanism, when the first and secondhinge members 20 and 26 are in the closed position, the latch member 79bears against the knuckle end surface 80 of the intermediate hingeknuckle 34, as resiliently urged by the spring halves 64, therebyresiliently retaining said hinge members in the closed position andeliminating the necessity of further latches between the frame 24 anddoor 30, said positioning of the first and second hinge members beingshown in FIG. 4. When the door 30 is moved outwardly toward an openposition relative to the frame 24, thereby moving the second hingemember 26 hingedly outwardly relative to the first hinge member 20, thelatch member 76 moves over the knuckle end surface 86 and onto theknuckle outer surface 82, as shown in FIG. 5, and as permitted by theslight compression of the spring halves 64. Obviously, as soon as thelatch member 70 is fully against the knuckle outer surface 82, thesecond hinge member 26 is no longer resiliently urged toward closedposition relative to the first hinge member 20 and the second hingemember, as well as the door 30, will remain in the selected openposition without an Opening force being maintained thereagainst.

A modified form of the hinge incorporating certain of the self-latchingmechanism improvements of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6 andin most respects is virtually the same as the form shown in FIGS. 1through 5 and hereinbefore described. The form of FIG. 6 includes afirst hinge member, generally indicated at 86, a second hinge member,generally indicated at 88, and a latch carriage assembly 90, said latchcarriage assembly having the same spring halves 92 axially engaged in acarriage 94 and radially resiliently urging a latch member 96. Thespring halves 92 are engaged in the carriage 94 against axialdisplacement therefrom by similar notches 98.

In the modified form of FIG. 6, however, the first and second hingemembers 86 and 88, along with the latch carriage assembly 90, areretained in overall assembly and for the hinged movement by a singlehinge pin having end caps 102 engaged therewith in end grooves 104thereof. Axially spaced annular recesses 166 are formed in the hinge pin100 radially aligned with axially spaced mounting legs 168 of thecarriage 94. Thus, again, the carriage mounting legs 108 radially engagein the hinge pin recesses 106 to secure the hinge pin 100 from axialdisplacement relative to the first and second hinge members 86 and 88,as well as the latch carriage assembly 90.

A further modified form of the hinge incorporating certain of theself-latching mechanism improvements of the present invention is shownin FIG. 7, wherein, rather than the separate spring halves previouslydescribed, a single spring 110 is incorporated in a latch carriageassembly 112 for actuating a latch member 114. The single spring 110 isformed with oppositely depending, U-shaped end portions 116, an integralaxially extending latch engagement portion 118 and re-entrant ends 120.The latch engagement portion 118 is received through the latch member114 and the ends 12% are angularly formed, with notches 122 receivingcarriage mounting legs 124 for retaining the spring 110 and the endsthereof against axial displacement from the carriage mounting legs 124.

Hinge pin halves 126 in this FIG. 7 modified form are, again, formedwith annular recesses 128 properly axially spaced for radial engagementby the carriage mounting legs 124 to retain said hinge pin halvesagainst axial displacement relative to first and second hinge members136 and 132, as well as the latch carriage assembly 112. Outer ends 134,in this case, terminate at the termination of the first hinge member130, eliminating the necessity for any covering caps. The hinge pinouter ends 134 are, again, however, knurled for press-fitting in thefirst hinge memher 136).

A still further modified form of the hinge incorporating certain of theimprovements of the present invention is shown in FIG. 8, wherein alatch carriage assembly 136 is formed by separate, axially spacedcarriages 138, each being generally U-shaped and having axially spacedmounting legs 14%, the outermost of which is formed with a radial springslot 142. Oppositely depending, generally U-shaped springs 144 arereceived, one through each of the carriage spring slots 142, with springend parts 146 mounting latch members 148 positioned between the carriagemounting legs 140 of each of the carriages 138. The spring end parts 146are formed with notches 149, similar to before, for engagement with thecarriage mounting legs 141 to axially retain the springs 14 1- againstdisplacement from the carriages 138.

Hinge pin halves 15d of this FIG. 8 form are each provided with axiallyspaced recesses 152 appropriately axially located for engagementradially by the respective carriage mounting legs 140. Otherwise, thehinge pin halves 1511 are each formed with appropriate knurling andterminate within a first hinge member 154, said hinge pin halves therebyhingedly connecting said first hinge member to a second hinge member156. Thus, the hinge pin halves 15b are retained from axial displacementupon assembly thereof with the first and second hinge members 154 and156 by the double engagement of the carriages 138 in the hinge pinrecesses 15?. and the latch members 14% act in the self-latchingfunction at axially spaced points against the first hinge member 154 ina similar manner as before.

Still another modification of the hinge incorporating certain of theimprovements of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 9 and in which aconsiderably different latch carriage assembly 158 is actionable for theselflatching function between a first hinge member 161) and a secondhinge member 162. The latch carriage assembly 158 includes a carriage164 having axially spaced mounting legs 166 radially engaged in recesses168 of a hinge pin 170, which hinge pin hingedly connects the first andsecond hinge members 16d and 162. A pair of latch members 172 arepositioned axially spaced within the carriage 164 separated by acompression spring 174 resiliently forcing angled latch member surfaces176 against matching angled carriage surfaces 178, the reaction to whichis to force the latch members 172 radially against a hinge knuckle 180of the first hinge member 160.

Thus, the self-latching function is provided similar to the other formsin end result, but by a different arrangement wherein merely the singlecompression spring 174 through the angular engagement between the latchmembers 172 and the carriage 164 forces said latch members radially intothe self-latching engagement with the hinge knuckle 180. Further, thehinge pin recesses 168 engaged by the carriage mounting legs 166, again,retain the hinge pin 17% from axial displacement relative to the firstand second hinge members 160 and 162.

According to the improvements of the present invention, therefore, Ihave provided various forms of single or double hinge pins which areretained from axial displacement in the assembly of the first and secondhinge members and the self-latching mechanism provided by the latchcarriage assemblies, said retainment of the hinge pins beingaccomplished by an engagement between the latch carriage assemblies andengagement means on the hinge pins. Furthermore, I have provided variousforms of springs forming parts or": the latch carriage assemblies whichare positively retained in said latch carriage assemblies in properposition for actuating the latch members thereof by the specialconfigurations of said springs, which axially engage with the carriagesof said assemblies,

this spring retention feature being applicable whether the springs areformed in separate halves or unitary, and even though each half of aspring might be incorporated with a separate latch carriage assembly.Still further, I have provided a uniquely operable form of latchcarriage assembly incorporating merely a simple compression spring,while providing a perfectly operable self-latching mechanism possible ofincorporation in many hinges.

I claim:

1. In a self-latching hinge, the combination of: first and second hingemembers having axially aligned hinge knuckles forming an axiallyextending hinge pin opening; hinge pin means received in said hinge pinopening of said hinge members connecting said hinge members for hingedmovement between open and closed positions; self-latching means operablyconnected between said hinge members for resiliently urging said memberstoward a closed position and permitting selective movement toward anopen position; and means resiliently urged into engagement between saidhinge pin means and self latching means for retaining said hinge pinmeans against axial movement relative to said hinge members wherein saidengagement means includes a portion of said self-latchin g meansradially engaged in a recess of said hinge pin means.

2. A self-latching hinge as defined in claim 1 in which saidself-latching means includes a carriage having a hinge pin receivingportion thereon, a hinge pin opening in said hinge pin receivingportion, said hinge pin means being received through said carriage hingepin opening; and in which said engagement means includes a part of saidhinge pin receiving portion in said hinge pin opening engaged in anannular recess formed on said hinge pin means.

3. A self-latching hinge as defined in claim 1 in which said engagementmeans includes axially spaced portions of said self-latching meansradially engaged in axially spaced recesses of said hinge pin means.

4. A self-latching hinge as defined in claim 1 in which said hinge pinmeans includes a pair of axially separate hinge pins, each of said hingepins having a radially opening recess formed therein; and in which saidengagement means includes axially spaced portions of said self-latchingmeans engaged in said hinge pin recesses.

5. A self-latching hinge as defined in claim 1 in which saidself-latching means includes a carriage having axially spaced hinge pinreceiving portions thereon, said hinge pin receiving portions havinghinge pin openings therein and receiving said hinge pin means axiallytherethrough; and in which said engagement means includes parts of saidcarriage hinge pin receiving portions at said hinge pin openings engagedradially in annular recesses formed in said hinge pin means.

6. A self-latching hinge as defined in claim 1 in which saidself-latching means includes a carriage, latch means radially engagedwith certain of said hinge knuckles of said hinge members, spring meansengaged between said latch means and carriage for resiliently urgingsaid latch means into said hinge knuckle engagement; and in which saidspring means includes U-shaped end portions having reentrant end partsengaged with said carriage, certain of said end parts being angularlyconfigured axially engaged with said carriage preventing axial movementof said spring means out of said carriage.

7. In a self-latching hinge, the combination of: first and second hingemembers having axially aligned hinge knuckles forming an axiallyextending hinge pin opening; hinge pin means received in said hinge pinopening of said hinge members connecting said hinge members for hingedmovement between open and closed positions; self-latching means operabiyconnected between said hinge members for resiliently urging said memberstoward a closed position and permitting selective movement toward anopen position; said self-latching means including a carriage, latchmeans radially engaged with certain of said hinge knuckles of said hingemembers, spring means engaged between said latch means and carriage forresiliently urging said latch means into said hinge knuckle engagement;and said spring means including U-shaped end portions having reentrantend parts engaged With said carriage, certain of said end parts beingangularly configured forming notch means axially engaged with saidcarriage preventing axial movement of said spring means out of saidcarriage.

8. A self-latching hinge as defined in claim '7 in which saidself-latching means carriage includes axially spaced radiallly slottedlegs; in which said spring U-shaped end portions each extend through oneof said carriage slotted legs, with said end parts of each beingangularly configured and axially engaging the respective of saidcarriage legs.

9. A self-latching hinge as defined in claim 7 in which saidself-latching means carriage includes axially spaced radially slottedlegs; and in which said spring U-shaped end portions are axiallyseparated end portions, one of said spring end portions being engagedthrough each of said carriage slotted legs, at least one of said endparts of each of said spring end portions being angularly configuredaxially engaged with the respective of said carriage legs preventingaxial movement of said spring end portions out of said carriage slottedlegs.

1%. A self-latching hinge as defined in claim 7 in which saidself-latching means carriage includes axially spaced radially slottedlegs; and in which one of said spring end portions is engaged axiallythrough each of said carriage slotted legs, at least one of said endparts of each of said spring end portions being radially notched, withthe respective of said carriage slotted legs being engaged in said endpart notches.

11. A self-latching hinge as defined in claim 7 in which said latchmeans of said self-latching means includes a pair of latch members; andin which said spring means of said self-latching means includes axiallyseparate U-shaped end portions each having an end part engaged with oneof said latch members, each of said spring end portions having at leastone end part angularly configured axially engaged with said carriagepreventing axial movement of said spring end portion out of saidcarriage.

12. A self-latching hinge as defined in claim 7 in which saidself-latching means carriage includes axially spaced pairs of axiallyspaced legs, said legs all having axially aligned hinge pin openingsformed therethrough and receiving said hinge pin means; in which saidlatch means of said self-latching means includes a pair of latchmembers, one of said latch members being positioned between each of saidpairs of carriage legs radially engaged with certain of said hingeknuckles; and in which said spring means of said self-latching meansincludes axially separate U-shaped end portions, one of said spring endportions being received in each of said pairs of said carriage legs,with one of said end parts thereof engaged with the respective of saidlatch members, at least one of said end parts of each of said spring endportions being radially notched and receiving a part of one of saidcarriage legs therein.

13. In a self-latching hinge, the combination of: first and second hingemembers having axially aligned hinge knuckles forming an axiallyextending hinge pin opening; hinge pin means received in said hinge pinopening of said hinge members connecting said hinge members for hingedmovement between open and closed positions; self-latching means operablyconnected between said hinge members for resiliently urging said memberstoward a closed position and permitting selective movement toward anopen position; and said self-latching means including a carriage, atleast a pair of axially spaced latch members radially engaged withcertain of said hinge knuckles of said hinge members, resilient meanscompressively engaged with said latch members and resiliently urgingsaid latch members into engagement with said hinge knuckles, saidresilient means engagement mounting said latch members for limitedindependent radial movement with respect to each other.

14. A self-latching hinge as defined in claim 13 in which saidself-latching means carriage includes spaced legs having axially alignedhinge pin openings formed therethrough and receiving said hinge pinmeans; and in which said hinge pin means includes a pair of axiallyspaced annular recesses, said annular recesses receiving said carriagelegs adjacent said carriage leg hinge pin openings therein.

15. A self-latching hinge as defined in claim 13 in which saidself-latching means carriage has axially opposed angled surfaces, saidcarriage surfaces angling oppositely radially toward said hingeknuckles; in which said latch members of said self-latching means havematching angled surfaces slidably abutting said carriage angledsurfaces, one of said latch members being slidably engaged with one ofsaid carriage angled surfaces, with said latch members being axiallyspaced; and in Which said resilient means of said self-latching meansincludes at least one compression spring engaged axially between saidlatch members forcing said latch members slidably against said carriageangled surfaces and thereby urging said latch members radially intoengagement with said hinge knuckles.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,246,359 6/1941 Jelinek et al.16169 3,205,532 9/1965 MacDonald 16-180 3,255,484 6/1966 MacDonald16-180 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

D. L. TROUTMAN, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A SELF-LATCHING HINGE, THE COMBINATION OF: FIRST AND SECOND HINGEMEMBERS HAVING AXIALLY ALIGNED HINGE KNUCKLES FORMING AN AXIALLYEXTENDING HINGE PIN OPENING; HINGE PIN MEANS RECEIVED IN SAID HINGE PINOPENING OF SAID HINGE MEMBERS CONNECTING SAID HINGE MEMBERS FOR HINGEDMOVEMENT BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS; SELF-LATCHING MEANS OPERABLYCONNECTED BETWEEN SAID HINGE MEMBERS FOR RESILIENTLY URGING SAID MEMBERSTOWARD A CLOSED POSITION AND PERMITTING SELECTIVE MOVEMENT TOWARD ANOPEN POSITION; AND MEANS RESILIENTLY URGED INTO ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN SAIDHINGE PIN MEANS AND SELF-LATCHING MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID HINGE PINMEANS AGAINST AXIAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID HINGE MEMBERS WHEREIN SAIDENGAGEMENT MEANS INCLUDES A PORTION OF SAID SELF-LATCHING MEANS RADIALLYENGAGED IN A RECESS OF SAID HINGE PIN MEANS.